25 Free Things To Do In Austin, TX

Austin is a large city bustling with activity and plenty of things to do. Many of the wonderful destinations won’t cost you a dime. This capitol city makes it easy to enjoy budget-friendly activities that the whole family can enjoy. Here is a list of 25 of Austin's top attractions that won’t break the bank!

1. Take a walk through Texas history at the Texas State Capitol Building. Enjoy free self guided or guided tours around the well manicured grounds of the second largest capitol building in the country. Learn about Texas Legislation, the history of the stately building, and take a Trail of Trees tour to learn about the array of tree varieties that grow on Capitol grounds.
2. Visit Austin's one of a kind outdoor art gallery at the Baylor Street Art Wall. Full of life, character and charm, the art wall is one of the largest graffiti walls in Austin. Climb around the different levels and view many different layers of the artwork. Trek to the top of the hill and be rewarded with an incredible view of downtown.
3. Check out the three floors of historical artifacts and exhibits at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Check out some of the highlighted exhibits which include the La Belle shipwreck and the Battle of the Alamo. Explore the and the significance of oil fields and cattle ranches in the state of Texas.Photo Credit: Angelo.edu
4. Peruse the breathtaking art exhibits that highlight the cultural arts of Mexican Americans and other Latino cultures at the Emma Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. Explore the two galleries free of charge everyday which feature Latino artists from around the globe.
5. Gaze at the vibrant Latino inspired art displayed at the Mexic-Arte Museum for free on Sundays and throughout the whole month of December. Admire the brightly colored displays and gain historical insights from each of the alters of artwork displayed here. Within walking distance of bustling downtown attractions, this museum is a quick and interesting cultural pit stop to break up your day.
6. Visit the Legacy Gallery and the Social Justice Gallery within the walls of the LBJ Presidential Library. Learn how LBJ influenced modern American life through important legislation related to national parks, public broadcasting, student financial aid, health care, decreasing poverty and more. Both guided and self guided tours are available for visitors and the library/museum offers many free admission days.
7. Congregate around the Liz Carpenter Fountain at Butler Park in the evenings for a stunning light show or beat the heat in the fountains and play both day and night in the interactive fountains.
8. Enjoy a concert or catch a Shakespearean performance at Zilker Hillside Theater and Park. Bring a blanket to sit on the hillside and enjoy the genres of music from jazz to country or sit back and take in some of the Shakespeare in the Park series in the summer months.
9. In addition, Zilker Park offers a plethora of activities to keep families fit and active. Enjoy a game of frisbee golf on the disc golf course, take a dip in the consistently 68 degree Barton Springs Pool, peruse the botanical gardens, frolic at the Zilker Park playground complete with a climb on firetruck, jog, hike or even paddle a canoe on site.
10. While at Zilker Park check out the Austin Nature and Science Center. Dive into the outdoor hands on exhibits that will bring you up close and personal with Texas wildlife, dig for dinosaur bones, use microscopes to investigate objects more closely and explore how animals move their bodies with displays of robotic kinetics.
11. Head over to the Texas Military Forces Museum in Camp Mabry to feast your eyes on hundreds of fascinating artifacts that include tanks, helicopters, fighter jets, uniforms, and weapons, and even a piece of the Berlin Wall.
12. On Sundays all summer long, relax and enjoy free ensemble concerts that take place in front of the Long Center City Terrace at Hartman Concert Park. Set out a blanket and enjoy a picnic meal al fresco as you listen to the Austin Symphony perform jazz, light classical, pops selections and even film scores.Photo Credit: Meetup.com
13. Visit the beautiful peacocks and peahens as you hike through the serene Mayfield Park. Meander through the lovely two acres of cottage gardens, and take in the incredible artwork that is displayed throughout the park and relax by the pond.
14. Peruse modern art exhibits at newly renovated The Contemporary Austin Jones Center for free on Tuesdays. Enjoy the unique experiences that contemporary art viewing has to offer at the galleries and gather on the Moody Rooftop and look out at the city.
15. Immerse yourself where art and nature co-habitate at their finest at the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria. The park features exhibits and permanent outdoor art installations around the gorgeous Lake Austin. Check out the free, fun-filled, interactive Laguna Gloria Action Pack to enhance your visit.
16. Take an enthusiastically guided tour around the Harry Ransom Center. You won't be able to get enough of the vast and eclectic collections of memorabilia on display. View the Gutenberg Bible or the first ever photograph as well as memorabilia from Gone with the Wind, rare books and manuscripts and much more. The Ransom Center is one of the top three archives of manuscripts and memorabilia related to literature and the film industry in the world and it's free to visit.
17. Be sure to head over to the Congress Avenue Bridge about 20 minutes before the sun goes down on a summer evening. Prepare to view the spectacular display of over 1.5 million bats that emerge from underneath the bridge. Bring a picnic and set your blanket up on the hillside below and enjoy the breathtaking view of the bats launching themselves in flight across the Austin summer sky.
18. Plan an evening at the Blanton Museum on the third Thursday of the month and gain access to permanent collection of over 17,000 works of art that include paintings, prints, and drawings from all over the world.
19. Seek out a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Austin with a visit to the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum. For a small admission fee, guests can grab a leaflet and take a self guided tour of the interesting well placed sculptures on display around serene ponds and luxurious gardens.
20. Be sure to take advantage of Austin Museum Day, when more than thirty five Austin Museums of all sorts offer free admission! The local museums provide special programs, guided tours, and hands on activities for all ages on this special day each year. Mark your calendars to participate in this great opportunity!
21. Get your fitness on and gain access to the most spectacular views of Austin's skyline on the Boardwalk Trail on Ladybird Lake. The boardwalk links the 1mile gap that existed in the trail on Lady Bird Lake. Fish from the rest areas along the side of the trail, have fun counting all of the turtles that you spot along your way, and take amazing photographs of Austin's magnificent cityscape.
22. Lace up your inline skates or hop on your bicycle and make your way over to the Veloway for a 5K trek on a paved track that passes through a gorgeous natural terrain. This track is dedicated to skaters and riders only.
23. Take a memorable hike by waterfalls and wildflowers on Austin's Bull Creek Greenbelt Trail. Walk along the 5.8 mile walking trail and cool off at one of the swimming holes throughout the creek's edge.
24. Have a picnic and partake in the outdoor recreation available at Bull Creek Park. Enjoy the 32 acres of natural landscape which include natural swimming areas and waterfalls. There are basketball and volleyball courts and a picnic area with grilling stations for visitors to enjoy at the park. If you have a furry friend along with you, enjoy a leashed walk and a dedicated leash off area for your pup to enjoy.
25. Catch the gorgeous panoramic views at Mountain View Park at Mount Bonnell. Play of the fun playscape, have a picnic at the pavilion, take the field for a baseball game, and use the tennis courts. Take a hike along the natural trail and check out the old dam that creates a small waterfall on Bull Creek.